A morning roundup of news, opinion, and links from Washington City Paper and around the District. Send tips and ideas to citydesk@washingtoncitypaper.com.

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Metro on inauguration day 2009 was a mess, with back-ups at parking garage and crowds on trains. One station was so crowded, someone fell on the tracks. This January, though, Metro promises things will be different.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Jack Evans will trade the FBI for the Pigskins. You know, just in case anyone’s asking. Which they aren’t. [Post]
  • Anita Bonds set to win Democratic State Committee appointment to interim at-large seat on Monday. [Post]
  • Trouble at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. [Times]
  • Ray’s The Steaks at East River to close. [DCist]

RECENT CITY PAPER STORIES TO HELP YOU MAKE SENSE OF YOUR DAY:

Photo of the Day: Page Three Photo.

Spreading Holiday Fear: The Sleigher, an annual takedown of Christmas songs, has returned. Its first victim: “Christmas Wishes,” a British ode to North American Christmas traditions and partying in front of a green screen with one’s daughter.

Council Kerfuffle: Remember when David Catania cursed out Marion Barry? What about when Harry Thomas Jr. used stolen public money to buy leather chaps? Relive the fun and not so fun moments of the 19th D.C. Council session, which has already been called the worst Council ever.

Streetcar Sloganeering: The D.C. streetcar needs a new slogan, and the ones suggested by the city are bad. So submit your own to City Paper. Winner gets a T-shirt.

Citrus Christmas: If you’re looking for a lighter holiday drink than eggnog, learn from Ripple bartender Josh Berner and make the “Eat the Lemon” cocktail.

LOOSE LIPS, by Loose Lips columnist Alan Suderman. (tips? lips@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • CFO’s top watchdog came to same conclusion about Jim Graham and the lottery contract that $800,000 Metro investigation came to this year. [Post]
  • Do city officials want to trade the FBI for the Pigskins? [NBC4]
  • About-to-be Councilmember Anita Bonds goes wayyyy back with Marion Barry. [Post]
  • Graham says DYRS money isn’t being spent on prevention efforts. [Times]
  • Campaign finance reform is not a council priority. [Examiner]
  • Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton hounds shop owners who sell synthetic pot. [Post]

HOUSING COMPLEX, by Housing Complex columnist Aaron Wiener. (tips? awiener@washingtoncitypaper.com )

  • Jack Evans wants to trade the FBI for the Pigskins. [NBC4]
  • Shocker: D.C. is becoming younger, whiter, and richer. [WJLA]
  • A rendering for the Central Union Mission building. [PoP]
  • Five reasons why the D.C. region doesn’t build enough housing. [GGW]
  • Kalorama condo building good to go after HPRB approval. [UrbanTurf]
  • But HPRB and other preservationists are skeptical of some St. Elizabeths East plans. [DCmud]
  • Jair Lynch is planning a 48-unit development at 501 H Street NE. [UrbanTurf]
  • Wards 1 and 2 have a stroller-filled future; Ward 7, not so much. [DCist]
  • Today on the market: Columbia Heights rowhouse for $325k

ARTS LINKS, by Caroline Jones (tips? artsdesk@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • National Geographic auctioned off over 200 of its most iconic images in its first ever auction. The total gain: $3.8 million. [Post]
  • It seems like every other new TV show has some sort of D.C. bend to it. Here’s a preview of one of the Washington-iest shows, NBC’s 1600 Penn. [HuffPost DC]
  • Tired of seeing art in the same galleries all the time? Why not class it up a bit and check out Mark Parascandola’s latest show at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty? [Borderstan]
  • Introducing the most comfortable movie theater seats in America, now at AMC Courthouse in Arlington. [Going Out Gurus]

FOOD LINKS, by Jessica Sidman (tips? hungry@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Where to dine solo [Express]
  • Ray’s the Steaks at East River is closed for good. [DCist]
  • D.C. Council votes on liquor license reform bill. [Borderstan]
  • Restaurateur Xavier Cervera is considering selling his nine restaurants. [Eater]
  • Neil Patrick Harris visits Izakaya Seki, Graffiato, and Toki Underground. [Post]
  • Owners of Zest Bistro opening Agua 301 in Navy Yard. [PoP]
  • Caffe Aficionado coming to Rosslyn. [ARLnow]